FIELD CROPS. 239 



The influence of distance on th.e yield and quality of fodder beets, A. von 

 KorrKRiTz {Fuhling's Landw. Zty., 51 (1902), ISo. 4, VP- ^-^-^i 15'>)- — -^ ihiiuIht of 

 varieties of beets were grown in 14 and 16 in. rows with tiie plants about 8 iu. apart 

 in the 14-in. rows and from 10 to 12 in. apart in the 16-in. rows. The yield was 

 sliirhtly and tlie qnality largely in favor of the narrow planting. 



Comparative tests of forage beets and varieties of a medium sugar content, 

 Desprez [fSernaiiie Jgr., 22 {1902), X<j. 10S4, pj). 59, GO). — A snmmary of results is 

 sriven which shows that varietit.-^ of a medium sugar content are more jirofitably 

 grown for feeiling i)urposes than the ordinary varieties of forage l)eets. 



Broom corn, W. R. Dodson {Louisiana Sias. Bui. 67, 2. sex., pp. 80G-S16,figs. 4)- — 

 This bulletin is a brief popular treatise on the growing and curing of l)room corn. 



The improvement of the castor plant, W. R. Shaw {Oklahoma Sta. Bui. 54, pp. 

 10). — This bulletin discusses the improvement of the castor plant and suggests meth- 

 ods by which this object may be attained. It is pointed out that the relative value of 

 varieties depends mostly upon the percentage of oil in the seeds, the quantity of seeds 

 produced, the cost of harvesting, and the simultaneous ripening of the pods on a 

 spike and on the different spikes of a plant. Upon the equality of ri[»ening depend 

 the cost of harvesting and the percentage of seed of the total ])roduct which may be 

 gathered. In summing up the discussion of seed selection the author reconunends 

 to "select the best and earliest seed of a crop for planting, and when practicable 

 select this seed from the best i)lants of a stand." The method of grading castor seed 

 on the market is described. 



The culture of the castor bean in Algeria, C. Riviere {Agr. Prat. Pays Chauds, 

 1 {1902), No. 6, pp. 747-751). — The culture of the castor bean in Algeria is described 

 and tlie varieties grown are briefly noted. 



Cotton culture, C. Farmer {La culture du cotonier. Pai^is: J. Andre, 1901, pp. 

 875). — A general treatise on cotton culture dealing largely with the industry in 

 America and India. In adilition to the culture of cotton, ginning, baling, insect 

 enemies, diseases, and the value of cotton seed for feeding purposes are discussed. 



The co'wpea {Southern Pines: North Carolina Slide LTort. Soc, [1902], 2)p- OS, figs. 

 12) . — A pamphlet treating of the origin, history, culture, and uses of the cowpeu. The 

 utilization of cowpeas for grazing, soiling, renovating, and fertilizing soils and for hay 

 and silage is described. 



Cowpeas, soybeans, and winter vetch, J. I). Towar {Michigan. Sta. Bui. 199, 

 pp. 165-170). — This bulletin gives a general description of cowpeas, soy beans, and 

 winter vetch, together with directions for their culture and uses. The discussions 

 consist largely of quotations from exjjeriment station bulletins and from articles pre- 

 senting the experience of practical farmers. The tabulated data given in the bulletin 

 consist of analyses showing the percentage of digestible nutrients and fertilizing ele- 

 ments of feeding materials, including the crops under discussion, analyses of the soy 

 bean made at the station, and the yield and composition of hairy vetch cut on differ- 

 ent dates republished from a bulletin of the Alabama Station (E. S. R., 11, p. 921). 



Alfalfa, cowpeas, and crimson clover as factors in reducing feed bills, A. T. 

 Neale (Jhiatrare Sta. Bui. 55, jtp. S-8; Rpt. 1901, j^p. 8-13). — A discussion on the 

 relative quantities of i)rotein produced l)y alfalfa, cowpeas, and crimson clover based 

 on data obtained in different experiments is summarized as follows: "Maximum 

 crops of alfalfa of average tests yield 1,2:^0 lbs. of protein per acre, equivalent to the 

 amount contained in approximately Ij tons of cotton-seed meal. Maximum crops 

 of cowpeas and maximum crops of crimson clover of average test contain each not 

 more than 725 lbs. of protein per acre. But a crop of clover and one of peas may be 

 grown and made into hay annually from one and the same acre of land. Hence where 

 alfalfa fails to thrive, peas and clover may be found to be a i)rofital)le sul)stitute." 



A critical study of Getty's method of raising cowpeas for silage purposes, 

 A. T. Neale {Delaware Sta. Bui. 55, pp. S-2S; Rpt. 1901, pp. 13-28).— T\\\ii method 



